What we do

Learn more about our work to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research and explore our workstreams, funding, expertise and facilities.

Our mission is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We deliver this mission through 6 core workstreams.

We fund high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care

NIHR is committed to funding health, public health and social care research that leads to improved outcomes for patients and the public, and makes the health and social care system more efficient, effective and safe. We work closely with stakeholders across the system to ensure we address the challenges they face and are responsive to their research needs.

We invest in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatment

NIHR’s ‘infrastructure’ supports the research we fund and underpins research funded by others. Our investment has transformed the health system’s ability to turn scientific discoveries into new or improved treatments and services. Uptake of these innovations across the nation is enabled by applied research studies delivered through our infrastructure.

We attract, train and support the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges

We are the nation’s largest funder of health and social care research training. We provide career pathways for clinical academics and non-clinical scientists and offer opportunities for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to integrate research with clinical practice.

Training schemes and programmes

Learn about the ways we support the professional development of people working in research in order to grow research capacity and capability.

NIHR Academy

The NIHR Academy works to attract, train and support health and care researchers. It co-ordinates academic training, career development and research capacity development.

We partner with patients, service users, carers and communities improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research

NIHR’s research is shaped in collaboration with patients, service users, carers and communities. People contribute at every stage of the research pathway and also play a vital role by volunteering to participate in studies and trials. We are determined that their perspectives and experiences are heard and acted upon, and that their contributions are valued and recognised.

We collaborate with other public funders charities and industry to shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system

NIHR works closely with partners from across the public sector and with medical research charities and the life sciences industry. Together we aim to create an integrated research system that meets the needs of patients and the public and positions the UK as a globally attractive destination for high quality clinical research.

Explore more of our partnerships

Charities

Charity partnerships combine expertise, streamline processes and bring benefits to patients and the public faster.

Local authorities

We work with local authorities and councils across the UK to enable research which improves health and wellbeing, supports independence and reduces health inequalities.

Support for industry partners

Details of the support the NIHR can provide life sciences and MedTech organisations. This includes funding opportunities, access to specialist facilities and help setting up studies.

We fund applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low and middle income countries

Working closely with the global health research community, NIHR funds applied research and training for the benefit of the poorest people in more than 50  low and middle income countries. By sharing learning and knowledge, we are able to build R&D capacity and capability in both the UK and low and middle income countries.

Key initiatives

Climate, health and sustainability

Explore how we are working to improve sustainability and support a net zero health and care service through our research.

Improving how we partner with patients, carers and the public

Our plans to improve our working partnerships with patients, carers and the public, including our involvement, engagement and participation activities.

Improving your research experience

We are committed to improving our working methods and making it easier for people to work with us.

Multiple long-term conditions

Explore our work and support to improve the lives of people with multiple long-term conditions.

Responding to COVID-19

Explore our critical role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and research into Long COVID.

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